UPDATED AIE Study Guide PDF

Historical Context of Absolute Monarchy The decline of the Church's power post-Reformation led to the rise of secular rulers. Wealth from colonies provided monarchs with resources to exert control and influence. Continuous warfare necessitated the formation of large standing armies,...

Historical Context of Absolute Monarchy The decline of the Church's power post-Reformation led to the rise of secular rulers. Wealth from colonies provided monarchs with resources to exert control and influence. Continuous warfare necessitated the formation of large standing armies, further consolidating power in the hands of monarchs. Key Figures in Absolute Monarchy Philip II of Spain: Known for his wealth from New World colonies and the Catholic Inquisition to maintain power. He claimed divine right and sought to convert England to Catholicism. Henry VIII of England: Broke from the Catholic Church for a divorce, had six marriages, and established the Anglican Church, significantly impacting English religion and politics. Louis XIV of France: The 'Sun King' who famously stated, 'L'état, c'est moi!' and built the Palace of Versailles, symbolizing absolute power and centralized governance. Peter the Great of Russia: Westernized Russia, established a new capital at St. Petersburg, and created a standing army, increasing the gap between nobles and serfs. Imperialism in Africa Motivations for Imperialism European nations sought to expand their territories for land, power, and resources. The concept of imperialism involved conquering foreign territories for natural resources and new markets. The Scramble for Africa The Berlin Conference of 1884 divided Africa among European powers without regard for indigenous populations. The conference was organized by Otto von Bismarck, leading to increased colonial activity and loss of African autonomy. The Impact of Imperialism The Belgian Congo King Leopold II of Belgium exploited the Congo for rubber and ivory, leading to millions of deaths due to forced labor and brutal treatment.  The 1884 Berlin Conference authorized Leopold's claim, which he exploited for personal gain, resulting in atrocities against the Congolese people. The White Man's Burden The belief that Europeans had a duty to civilize and educate other nations, often used to justify imperialism. Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The White Man's Burden' reflects this ideology, while Mark Twain's response critiques the moral implications of imperialism. Conflicts in Africa and Asia Key Conflicts and Leaders Shaka Zulu: Led the Zulus against British rule, known for military innovations and tactics that made the Zulu a powerful nation. The Boer Wars: Conflicts between Dutch settlers and the British in South Africa, resulting in British control over the region. Emperor Menelik II: Successfully defended Ethiopia against Italian invasion, showcasing African resistance to imperialism. Consequences of Conflicts The Anglo-Zulu War (1879) resulted in British victory and the decline of Zulu power in southern Africa. The Boer Wars led to the establishment of British dominance in South Africa, altering the political landscape of the region. The Boer Wars and Their Impact Overview of the Boer Wars The 1st Boer War (1880-1881) resulted in the Boers gaining self-governance in the South African Republic (Transvaal). The 2nd Boer War (1899-1902) ended in a British victory, leading to the incorporation of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic into the British Empire. The conflicts were rooted in tensions between British imperial ambitions and Boer independence aspirations. Historical Context of the Boers  The term 'Boer' refers to descendants of Afrikaans-speaking settlers in Southern Africa, originating from the Dutch East India Company's establishment of the Cape Colony in the 1600s. The Boers were primarily farmers who sought to establish their own governance and resist British control, leading to the Great Trek in the 1830s. Imperialism in Asia The Dutch East India Company Established in 1602, the Dutch East India Company was a megacorporation that controlled trade in Southeast Asia, particularly with Mughal India. It held a monopoly on the spice trade and was the world's first public company, offering stock shares to investors. The company established Jakarta as a trading center and created military bases and trading ports across the region, wielding quasi-governmental powers. The Opium Wars and Their Consequences The First Opium War (1839-1842) resulted from China's attempts to suppress the opium trade, leading to the Treaty of Nanking, which ceded Hong Kong to Britain. The Second Opium War (1856-1860) further weakened China, forcing it to open more ports and grant rights to foreign missionaries and merchants. These conflicts significantly weakened the Qing dynasty and opened China to foreign influence and trade. Japan's Opening and American Influence Commodore Perry and the Kanagawa Treaty In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry was sent by the U.S. to open Japan, which had been isolated for over 200 years. The Kanagawa Treaty (1854) marked the end of Japan's national seclusion, opening ports to American vessels under threat of force. This event set the stage for Japan's modernization and eventual emergence as an imperial power. The United States and Imperialism Expansion in the Pacific The U.S. was late to imperial claims due to the Civil War but sought to expand its influence in the Pacific. The annexation of Hawaii in 1898 followed a coup against Queen Liliʻuokalani, who attempted to restore the monarchy's power. The Bayonet Constitution of 1887 had already stripped the Hawaiian monarchy of significant power, leading to disenfranchisement of native Hawaiians. Major Conflicts and Rebellions The Sepoy Rebellion The Sepoy Rebellion (1857) arose from resentment against British rule, particularly over cultural insensitivity and the use of animal fat in rifle cartridges, leading to widespread violence. The Boxer Rebellion The Boxer Rebellion (1899) was an anti-imperialist uprising in China, fueled by resentment against foreign influence and missionary activities. The Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known as Boxers, believed they were invulnerable to foreign weapons and sought to expel foreigners from China. The rebellion was suppressed by an international coalition, leading to further foreign intervention in China. The Age of Imperialism Overview of Imperialism The phrase 'The sun never sets on the British Empire' reflects the vastness of British colonial territories across the globe, indicating the empire's global reach. Nationalism emerged in conquered regions as local populations began to identify with their own nations rather than colonial powers, leading to independence movements. Rivalries among European powers intensified during this period, contributing to tensions that would later escalate into conflicts. The Opium Wars The Opium Wars (1839-1860) were conflicts between China and Britain over the opium trade, which Britain used to balance trade deficits with China.  The First Opium War ended with the Treaty of Nanking (1842), which ceded Hong Kong to Britain and opened several Chinese ports to British trade. Hong Kong's population grew from 3,000 in the 1840s to over 7.4 million today, highlighting the significant demographic changes due to British rule. The Second Opium War (1856-1860) saw Britain, aided by France, defeat China again, leading to further concessions including more treaty ports and rights for foreign missionaries. The Boer Wars The Boer Wars (1880-1902) involved conflicts between British forces and Dutch settlers (Boers) in South Africa, resulting in British control over the region. The Anglo-Zulu War (1879) was a significant conflict where the British defeated the Zulu nation, marking the end of Zulu dominance in Southern Africa. The First Boer War (1880-1881) resulted in Boer self-governance, while the Second Boer War (1899-1902) led to the incorporation of Boer territories into the British Empire. Other Key Conflicts The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) was a surprising victory for Japan over Russia, marking Japan's emergence as a world power and leading to U.S. mediation in the Treaty of Portsmouth. The Spanish-American War (1898) resulted in the U.S. acquiring territories such as the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam, expanding American imperial interests. The Sepoy Mutiny (1857) was a rebellion against British rule in India, leading to direct British control over India after the rebellion was suppressed. The Enlightenment Era Key Philosophers and Their Ideas Voltaire advocated for freedom of speech and religious toleration, famously stating, 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.' John Locke's 'Two Treatises on Government' emphasized that government derives power from the consent of the governed and must protect natural rights: life, liberty, and property. Montesquieu's 'On the Spirit of Laws' argued for the separation of powers within government to prevent tyranny, stating, 'To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.' Thomas Hobbes, in 'Leviathan', argued for a strong central authority to avoid chaos, famously declaring, 'Without government our lives would be nasty, brutish, and short.'  Jean Jacques Rousseau's 'The Social Contract' posited that government is a contract between rulers and the ruled, asserting that 'No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.' Mary Wollstonecraft's 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' called for women's rights and education, stating, 'Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.' Impact of Enlightenment Ideas The Enlightenment fueled revolutions in France, Haiti, and America, leading to significant political changes and the establishment of democratic ideals. Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence was heavily influenced by Enlightenment principles, particularly those of Locke and Rousseau. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights incorporated Enlightenment ideas about government structure and individual rights, emphasizing checks and balances. Enlightenment thinkers promoted religious toleration, the importance of freedom of the press, and the need for government accountability.